Prince Albert Slo-Pitch League Constitution

Revised October 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

1)   The Slo Pitch league will organize as many divisions as possible that are necessary to accommodate all the teams that the number of playing fields permits.

2)   The league scheduler shall assign playing fields for all league, tournament and playoff games.

3)   The Slo Pitch league constitution shall take priority over all other rules and regulations.

4)   The current affiliated Slo Pitch organization operating rules shall be the second level of authority.

5)   The League Executive shall consist of: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Facilities Coordinator

6)

7)   The Prince Albert Slo Pitch league rules shall be those established in the current affiliated slo-pitch organization Rule Book and as amended by the League Executive.

8)   The decisions of the League Executive shall be considered final in all matters not specifically dealt with in the constitution or operating rules.

 

TEAM REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1)    All new and existing teams must be paid in full by the date specified each year by the executive. If teams fail to pay by that date the league executive will have the right to refuse entry into the league.

 2)   Membership in the P.A. Slo Pitch league shall begin upon registration and payment of annual fees and exist until the next annual registration date, unless terminated by a League Executive decision.

3)  If we have more teams than we can accommodate, the league executive will review all teams’ applications and remove the necessary number of teams.

4)   NEW TEAMS will be slotted into the division that will meet their competition level (if possible.). They will be slotted into the divisions that have openings. At all times the divisions will have an even number of teams in them for scheduling purposes.

5  a) Each team in the league must provide the League Executive with the names, addresses phone numbers and email of two people who are responsible for the team. This is required so that the team can be contacted for whatever reason by the League Executive.

b) These 2 members along with all registered team members on the official roster or alternative method will be held responsible for entry fees and all other team cost from the league. If league fees are not paid a suspension for all members of the team will occur until all league fees and fines are paid in full.

6)   Each team must have one representative attend the annual general meeting. The league executive has the right to enforce a $50 fine against teams that do not have a representative.

7)  Voting privileges at the annual general meetings shall be extended on the basis of:          

a) One vote per member team. (Delegate)                                                                                                 b) One vote per executive member. (Excluding the president)                                                                 * Under no circumstances shall a person cast two votes, there shall be no vote by proxy, and The President shall cast a vote only in the case of a tie vote.

8)   New teams will not be allowed to vote. All teams must be a member of the league for at least one year and be in good standing with the league in order to vote.

9)  All new team names must be public appropriate and approved by the league executive

 

PLAYER REGISTRATION

1)      A player shall be eligible for registration in the league provided that they are not under suspension by Prince Albert Slo-Pitch League or any other slo pitch league or association.

2) Once a player has signed with a team, that player is on that team for the season.

a)   Any player requesting a release must have approval from the league executive.

3) Use of unauthorized players will result in default of games and fines. Upon further review by the League Executive, suspensions may occur against the offending teams, coach, management, or players.

4) Players are eligible to play in 2 divisions. *

5) Male players are eligible to play in 1 Men’s division and 1 Co-ed division OR 2 coed divisions.*

6) Female players are eligible to play in 2 co-ed divisions only.

7) Female players are not eligible to play in men’s division.

8) Dual division sheets must be filled out by all players who play in 2 divisions. *

9) Players who play in dual divisions must be on dual division rosters before their teams first league game and must fill out online form for dual division. *

10) Players can be added / deleted on team roster until May 15^th.

11) Only approval from league executive will any exceptions be made.

* Sections removed for pilot project during the 2022 season.

LEAGUE ENTRY REQUIREMENT

1)   Prompt payment of entry fees by date determined by the league executive.

2)   Submission of online team roster by specified date.

3)   All teams must supply their own equipment and league executive approved balls.

4)      All teams must have their players uniformly dressed and have numbers on their jerseys or shirts.  This means that players must wear a “team identifiable” jersey or shirt for all games. Hats and pants are optional.  Teams will have until the Opening Tournament each year to be uniformly dressed.  After this time the strike rule will come into effect for all divisions. The strike rule will be 0-1 for league at bats.

 

GAME PROCEDURES.

1)   Ground rules for the playing field shall be established by the umpire before the start of the game.

2)   No beverages or smoking will be allowed on the playing field. (No ALCOHOLIC beverages are allowed on or near the team bench).

3)   Steel cleats are not allowed in the league

4)   The visiting and home teams will be specified on the schedule.

5)   The score sheets must contain the complete names (first & last) of all players participating. All other information such as date, Diamond number, team and division names must be titled in before the umpire will allow the game to start.

6)   All score sheets must be signed by both coaches at the conclusion of the game and are considered final when submitted to the umpire.

7)   Any changes to your line-up during the game must be reported to the umpire and the opposing team.

8)   All teams will play two games on the night they are scheduled. The first game starts at 6:15 and will have a 15-minute grace period to allow players to arrive. If a team fails to field a team by 6:30 p.m. they will default the game. Teams will be fined $50 for any defaulted league game.  Teams and umpires must stay at the diamond until 7:30. At this time if there are not enough players to play there will be a second game default and $50 fine.  A scoresheet must be filled out and handed in for each game.

9)a) All slo pitch games will consist of seven innings, time permitting.  In situations where teams must move diamonds between games, the first game will conclude as close to 7:30 as possible.  The umpire must call last inning at the start of the inning around 7:15. The umpire will notify both teams that this will be the final inning of play. This is to ensure that the start of the second game will be as close to 7:30 as possible.

9) b) Teams playing double headers will complete the first game of the night in its entirety.  The second game will be finished by 9:00 with last inning being called at 8:55 OR dependent on daylight and safety conditions.

10) You may start a game with 9 players, but you will have an automatic out in your batting lineup. For men’s games the 10^th spot in the order will be an automatic out.  If a coed team is short a female the last female spot in the batting order will be an out.  If a coed team is short a male the last male spot in the batting order will be an out.

11) A team that started the game with 10 players and loses a player to an injury will be able to continue playing the game. The injured player's spot in the line-up will become an automatic out. That players spot can be taken over by a player arriving later.

12a) A team that started a game with 10 players and loses a player by ejection from the game by the umpire will automatically default the game if there are no other available players to fill the ejected players spot in the lineup.                                                                                                                      12b) Even if winning at the time the game is called a forfeit and the team will be fined.

13) A team that starts a game with 9 players and loses a player to injury will automatically lose the game. A team that starts a game with 9 players and loses a player because of an ejection from the game will forfeit the game and be fined.

14) In the men’s' divisions they are allowed to have 11 players in the lineup to bat. Any 10 of those players can play in the field, when you start with 11 players you must be able to finish with 11 or you will forfeit the game.

15) When you are the home team you must provide the score sheets.

16) At the beginning of the game both teams will identify to the umpire two people who are the coach and manager of their teams. These are the only people that will be allowed to approach the umpire to question him on any rule interpretation they require. This questioning must be done in an orderly and sportsmanlike manner or ejections can occur. Anyone other than the two coaches’ approach or question the umpire are subject to ejection from the game and a suspension. You cannot question a judgement call.

17) No batboys will be allowed. Only people who are on the team’s roster will be allowed in the bench area during games. This is to prevent the possibility of injury to children during a game.

 

PLAYING EQUIPMENT

1)  The league will review playing equipment each year and reserves the right to make changes to the playing equipment rules at any time as necessary. 

 

TEAM STANDINGS & PLAYOFFS

1)    Teams shall be awarded two (2) points for a win and 1 point for a tie in league play.

2)    Ties in the League Standings will use the tie breaking procedure as per our league website

 

RAINOUTS & RESCHEDULING

1. In the event of a rainout the League Executive will determine if games will be rescheduled.
2. All teams must report to the Slo Pitch diamonds on their scheduled night even if it has rained that day unless notified by League Executive.
3. Rainout decisions are made at the ballpark by the league executive members, maintenance personnel and the head umpire (or their appointed delegates).  If it has been raining continuously for the previous day(s) and the diamonds are unplayable the League executive will notify the teams using the league website and Facebook page. After 2 nights of rain outs the league will review other alternatives.

 

LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS

1)    The Opening and Closing tournaments are compulsory and all league rules apply to these games unless otherwise stated in the tournament rules.

2)    Tournament rules will be posted onsite at each tournament.

3)    Only players on the team rosters are eligible to play in the opening tournament.

4)    All players must play a minimum of 6 league games with the team in order to play in the closing playoff tournament. Opening tournament games do not count as league games.

5)    During League run tournaments All alcholic beverages must be purchased and consumed in the beer gardens on site.( If teams are caught by league executive drinking acoholic beverages that have not been purchased from the on site beer garden the team will be asked to leave the facility. this will result in the team being suspended from the tournament and fined. If teams are already eliminated from tournament the players and coach will be held responsible for all fines and suspensions.)  All SLGA rules will apply.

6)    All games will start at the scheduled start time. Only exception is if the scheduled umpire is late to the diamond.

7)    The League Executive will hire canteen, security, and beer gardens workers.

     8)  The playoff format will be compulsory tournament format (Closing Tournament).  All teams will be seeded according to regular season standings.

      9) Tournament tie breaking procedures will follow the tie breaking procedure set out by the League Executive.

     10)  Tournament at bats shall start with a 1-2 count.

      11) No beverages or smoking will be allowed on the playing field during opening or closing tournaments.

2) A team defaulting shall be penalized in the following manner:

 

 a) Tournament games are mandatory. All teams will be fined $100 per game if they default any games in the tournament.  If a team gives prior notice of at least 2 weeks that they will be defaulting and not showing up for entire tournament they will be fined $300, if teams do not give us notice and do not show up for the entire tournament, they will be fined $500. If any team defaults a tournament game, they will be placed on probation for the remainder of the season plus for the following season.

b) Teams with a history of tournament defaults will be placed on probation at the discretion of the Executive.

 

c) All teams placed on tournament probation for defaults & continue to default tournament games will be ejected from the tournament and all fines for defaults of those games will be implemented.

    

GENERAL CONDUCT OF LEAGUE MEMBERS

Sportsmanlike conduct is the highest priority at all times throughout the year.

Any abuse of a league recognized official will result in a suspension.

CODE OF CONDUCT

 

All slo-pitch participants are expected to, at all times, display respect for the rights, dignity and worth of athletes, coaches, officials, other volunteers, media, friends and spectators, and treat everyone equally regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or ability. This will be demonstrated by following the Code of Conduct.

 

1) No Team Member or Fan will conduct themselves in behaviour contrary to this Code both on and off the field.

 

2) No Team Member or Fan will cause any form of personal abuse, including verbal, physical and emotional abuse, towards other athletes, officials, host personnel, spectators and others.

 

3) No Team Member or Fan will refuse to abide by an official's decision, threaten an official, or at any time lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or make incidental physical contact with the body or kick dirt or other matter on the official or attempt to cause physical contact when disputing a decision. This includes causing or attempting to cause physical contact another participant at the tournament.

 

4) No Team Member or Fan will make any disparaging remarks or actions towards other athletes, officials, host personnel, spectators and others.

 

5) No Team Member or Fan will react in a violent manner to any incident nor use any form of profane, vulgar, obscene or abusive language or gestures, whether it is directed at an official, opponent, playing colleague, team official, tournament official or spectator. Neither will they tolerate profane, vulgar, obscene or abusive language or gestures from any supporters and other members of their team.

 

6) No Team Member or Fan will use intimidating or threatening behaviour towards officials, opponents, playing colleagues, team officials, tournament personnel or spectators nor will they permit any others to openly or maliciously criticise, badger, harass, or threaten an official.

 

7) No Team Member or Fan will make objectionable demonstrations by throwing bats, gloves or other equipment in a forceful manner.

 

8) No Team Member will discuss publicly with participants and spectators in a derogatory or abusive manner any decision by the officials or any opinions of players.

 

9) No Team Member or Fan will cause the destruction of property belonging to others.

 

 

10) No Team Member will use any intoxicating substances during the course of the game or appear to be in an intoxicated condition.

 

11) No Team Member or Fan will harass, heckle, insult, jeer, or use verbal tactics to embarrass or insult an Association representative, employee or other participant at the site before, during or after a game.

 

12) No Team Member or Person involved with any team in any capacity will make derogatory, disdainful, disparaging comments or remarks regarding any person or program connected to the Association by any electronic means including any public forum, message board, bulletin board or social medium.

 

13) No Team Member will use any improper and unapproved equipment.

 

14) No Team Member or Fan will give false or misleading information or fail to cooperate with a legitimate request from a Prince Albert Slo-Pitch League official in the discharge of his/her official duties.

 

15) No Team Member or Fan, when requested by the game official, will refuse to assist him/her in the enforcement of this Code of Conduct and the control of players making threats.

 

16) No Team Member or Fan will engage in a continuous verbal attack upon an official or other participant or spectator after they have been ejected from a game or make a verbal threat of physical violence upon an official.

 

DEFAULTS, SUSPENSIONS, AND EJECTIONS

 

 

 

Suspensions

Suspensions will be issued for:

1)    Any players, coaches or managers who display unsportsmanlike conduct or uses profanity or abusive language towards umpires, players or fans at any Slo Pitch function.

2)    Using an ineligible or suspended player.

3)    Any action detrimental to the game of Slo-Pitch.

4)    Any violations of sections 1-3 in this section will result in a minimum of a 4-game suspension, not including the game the violation occurred.

5)    Any attempt to injure an umpire, an opposing player or fan will result in an immediate suspension of one year from the date of the infraction.  This suspension can be extended upon the review by the League Executive.

6)     The power of suspension and discipline is vested in the League Executive. If any member of the executive is involved in the matter to be examined, he/she shall relinquish their position for the duration of the investigation. The League Executive shall fill the temporarily vacated position by appointment.

7)    The League Executive will have the authority to gather information by written report or personal interviews regarding the issue in question. They alone will determine the length of the suspension or nature of discipline. A player or team with repeat offences can be subject to a long suspension or ejection from the Prince Albert slo pitch league.

8)    Any attempt by an umpire to injure a player or fan will result in an immediate suspension of 1 year from the date of the infraction. This suspension can be extended upon review by the League Executive.

9)    Probation is defined as a personal set of rules for a specific amount of time.  Terms and conditions may apply dependant on the situation.  A player or team can be put on probation for a specific amount of time determined by the league executive.

10)  A person who is a repeat offender may be subject to longer probation and longer suspensions, including indefinite suspensions and lifetime bans from the league.

 

11) When a team owes fine money to start a year, every player on the roster is suspended indefinitely until they pay their portion of the fine.

 

Ejections

1)     If necessary, the offender will be asked to leave the area completely. The steps for this type of ejection and penalties are as follows:

Step. 1 - The player is ejected from the game that is in progress. Player must leave the diamond (out of sight and sound). The player is also suspended for the next game.

Step. 2 - If the player continues to verbally assault the umpire, player etc. the player will be asked to leave the diamond area (out of sight, out of sound) and will be automatically suspended for an additional 2 games. The player will have two minutes to comply with this order.

Step. 3 - If the player has not complied with the order to leave the diamond within the two-minute period, his/her team will automatically default the game and team will be fined accordingly. The player will be asked to leave the entire Slo Pitch facility and their actions will be reviewed by the league executive to determine any further disciplinary actions.

The League Executive will record all incidents of ejection’s, suspensions and forfeitures by the teams and review the teams’ membership eligibility in the Slo Pitch league if they are repeat offenders.

2)    Any player who is ejected from a game will be suspended until dealt with by the league executive.

 

PROTESTS

League Protest Procedure:

1)    All protests must be made in the manner set out in the affiliated slo-pitch organization rule book and league constitution.

2)    Protests must be forwarded in writing or by email to the league executive after 24 hours of the game in question and before 48 hours of the game in question.  Protests must be accompanied by $400.00 Cash. No emts or cheques will be accepted.

3)     The protest fee shall only be refunded if the protest is upheld.

4)    The protest committee shall consist of League Executive.

5)    All decisions by the protest committee are final.

Tournament protest procedure is as follows:

1)     Report protest to umpire during game.

2)   Write a letter clearly stating your protest (include all details).

3)   Submit letter in writing and $400.00 cash protest fee. No emts or cheques will be accepted.

4)   All protests must be presented to the League Executive ½ hour after the completion of protested game.

5)  Protests will be decided on by league executive members and umpire in chief, and all decisions will be final.